DM-Redeemer-SniperHeaven
Map Info
	File Name dm-redeemer-sniperheaven.zip Author I.o.D. (Inevitability of Death) Gametype UT Deathmatch Date Added 03-29-2001 File Version 1.00 File Size 418 kb Player Count 4-12 Map Description None Review Rating 2.5 User Rating 4.5 Overall Rating 3.5
Review
Reviewer ArcadiaVincennes Awe Score:  0.5/3 Date 06-29-2005 Build Score:  1.0/3 Review Schema Cast Score:  1.0/3 User Point:  +1 Overall Score:  3.5/10 DM-Redeemer-SniperHeaven (UT99) As I've stated before, I dislike sniper maps so I will review this two ways, as I have done other sniper maps. I will address the CAST score in 2 parts. 1 in relation to standard DM maps, and a seperate score addressing the 'sniper' gameplay. Here we have a sniper map that takes place in a canyon? or something with a small settlement at the bottom. Redeemers and sniper rifles abound along with requisite shadowy areas to hide in and areas high above to pick off the newly spawned below. AWE: 0.5 Most sniper maps take the idea of gameplay over visuals - which is what most of the community - sniper and non-sniper - want anyways. This map is no exception. The texturing is basic, desultory, it looks like not 1 alignment was attempted, or if it was something went horribly awry, and really leaves not much more to say about it. The lighting is mostly without sources. There's enough unsourced light to give the area the impression that you're in the bottom of a deep canyon at the bottom of which light barely penetrates, but this is contrasted by the shadows that grow deeper the more you ascend the canyon, or the closer you get to the walls. The lighting in the various caves? running through the walls is also without source and really the lighting in the entire map is simply there so the map will not be dark. The architecture is not very good at all but more effort was put into it than either the texturing or the lighting. The 'houses' have a good basic form but lack any basic detailing. The only architectural piece of note is the fireplace in the large house. The 'caves' are simply basic cylindars and rectangles pieced together at odd angles. In general they're not very believable. Overall the map is not an attractive one. I can tell the author was not very concerned with the look of the map. At what point does one draw the line for function over form? Even if we all prefer and strive for gameplay over eyecandy, I personally still prefer to have fun gameplay in a location that has at least average looks, and not sub-par such as this map. BUILD: 1.0 Most of the brushes were not aligned to the grid. There's no botpathing in the water. The zoning work seems almost accidental and much more zoning could have been used. There are no ambient sounds. The teleporters work fine. The water volumes work fine. CAST: 1.0 Sniper CAST: 2.0 In terms of a traditional DM map, it's quite awful. Limiting the weapons to the sniper rifle is bad enough, but adding that many redeemers is just an insult. The z-axis is too out of scale, the weapons and pickups are unbalanced, the layout is limiting in potential, there's really no flow, and overall it's just not fun. In terms of gameplay for a sniper map it's not too bad overall. There are some shadowy areas for concealment, especially the ledge only reachable by impact hammer jumping, and the top of the waterfall (which I still can't figure out how to get to). The curious thing about this sniper map is that when using most of the sniper locations, you actually have to be concerned about if anyone's behind you. A common mistake is making the sniper locations accessible from only one route and easily knowing when someone's approaching you. This map, except for a few locations, encourages the sneak-up. One other aspect that makes this map different from other sniper maps is the amount of redeemers. This is both a challenge and a detriment. Most of the snipers will be nesting in the areas above and the spawn points all seem to be on the ground. Normally this would be pretty unfair, but the redeemers on the ground level give the newly-spawned a chance to do something that can distract snipers while they retreat to higher ground. However, this only seems to work if all the snipers are on one side of the map. If you're completely surrounded, this will only distract 1/2 the snipers meaning you're most likely dead anyways. Despite this gameplay twist, I think it's still cruel to have placed all the playerstarts on the ground and most of the sniper rifles up high. In general, the map doesn't stand up to standard DM play. In terms of sniper play, it tries to do something different and might be worth a shot. To put it all in perspective, we have a map that celebrates function over form. I agree with gameplay > eyecandy but believe that if one has accomplished the former, one should try to accomplish the latter as well. This map doesn't even try to think about the possibility of addressing the latter. For regular DMers, it's a definitive miss. For sniper lovers, it's a welcome change away from mini-me maps, and tries to do something a little different, but you might be turned off by the visuals.
Map Comments
ThaKillaTwinz 01-25-2005 01:49 PM MST Rating: 4   I remember when this map would come up on the server rotation, I would just sit back and joke with all the players and hit on the girls. Not much fun to be had here other than faraway sniping and flying deemers around the map. Ugly, horrible, bunch of cylinder brushes cut out of the walls, transparent bonfires you can stand in, and a hidden place on top of the waterfall great for making a love nest. If Simon Cowell was a map reviewer he'd have a field day on this one, but this map brings back memories. NeoNite 01-25-2005 04:43 PM MST Rating: 0.5   Looks more like an exercise in unrealed. Getting to know the ultra basics of the editor, and abusing it. Not caring the "map" looks like crap and is veeeery boring, did upload it and spread it on servers. It's an old map, I know. I don't care, I won't change my rating. Carving is horrible. Lay-out is extremily dull. Weapon placement is silly. Oh, except for the strategic sniper points I mean It's a MUST have. Ligthing.. where does it come from. No friggin' skybox, although it's very easy to make one. :-/ And to think people are still uploading test maps like these... :-/ redfist 07-03-2005 06:14 PM MDT Rating: 1.5   I will agree with ya there,but i played this online somewhat,and it did get kinda fun,but all else is ucky. EDIT................... Man you people,you could own a car wich handles real good,you may have a car wich runs perfect but has rust,you may have a car that is fast but insurance costs too much,all these scores around here,like a map that looks really good,but has very very bad fps,or a map like this wich might be great for sniper or other,but it definitly does not look even close to the minimum 3d coolness,and so on. Geez start using your brains for once,this level is not even close to an 8 or 9 or 10,thats just plane nonsense. fluffymike 06-27-2005 03:31 AM MDT Rating: 9.5   This is a class map that's played on many servers and has had many mods made to it for different game types. Action is always gripping and edge of the seat pant wetting scary. Placement of weapons is excellent, and for really skilled players all the top goodies are on a hard to get to shelf that gives you a supreme sniping spot. (Not the spot atop the waterfall btw) Good gun'n'run activity in the ground arena, with lots of passages and ledges for sniping. edit1: KFH-Foamygirl - you can get to the ledge by hammer jumping - I've seen it done regularly by those that have the knack, and have managed it occasionally myself - try forward hammer jumping and you might manage it - you'll be grateful when you do. edit2 - nIX - jeez dude, guess you don't agree! No, I ain't a reviewer, and no I don't work out my scores exactly the way the reviewers do - but I just really like this map, I think it plays well, and I honestly do like the look of it. You know, we ain't all going to like the same things are we? Another map I really like the look of and that you'll no doubt hate is Dawn's Monument, but that's just life. KFH_Foamygal 06-26-2005 02:18 PM MDT Rating: 5.5   Fluffymike you rate this 9.5 Pts for a map where you can*t get the SuperHealth by hammer but just if the server makes use of Translocator?? Pretty seldom on most (default settings) DM servers. As the map is widely spread and popular (voted frequently on all servers that feat. it)I rate it 5.5 - 0.5 above average. Despite the noob walkway cut-out style. Charon 06-26-2005 03:50 PM MDT   lack of mapping skills and finesse bah_mee 07-04-2005 01:10 AM MDT   if you LOOOOOVE tiled textures all over the place, and don't care if what your little UT guy is running around in at all, if it looks like an actual place, or it looks like the imaginary world of primary shapes. A land where the walls, are unbelievable straight with no attempt at trim or even a decent sky which would have taken a few minutes. I didn't have any memories of this, I am sure I will have nightmares now. Please try to do better, if you can take criticism this should get you mad enough to do better. EDIT: I gotta agree with redfist, I worked hard on my first map i submitted here, it took a few weeks, it was still a noob map, I got a 7, that made me feel good, now I go around and see this type of map that I could make in five seconds get a ten, at least I have a legitimate reason to be mad at these types of scores. niX 06-26-2005 10:04 PM MDT Rating: 1.5   Mike you gotta be kidding me with a 9.5 . This is what i call an unfair judging, no wonder you never become a reviewer. Because you judge maps by how old they are and how much others like it. you dont care how ugly it looks so u give it a 9.5. Look at the overrated anoying wall textures, map looks like a box with blue lines everywhere which supose to be water im guessing. Absolutly a zero for light. No botpathing. 1 texture for all map? surprised that house in the corner had different textures. Square hallways, no terrain used for mountains just a big cylinder with many halls and teleporters. This mess doesnt deserver more then 3. Master roshi 06-30-2005 11:26 AM MDT Rating: 5   Had this map for years. It was good to finally see a review. But when I saw this I just have to point at the reviewer and laugh. --QUOTE-Map reviwer- There are some shadowy areas for concealment, especially the ledge only reachable by impact hammer jumping, and the top of the waterfall (which I still can't figure out how to get to). ---END QUOTE--- OMG I cannot belive he said that about the water falls. EVERYONE knows how to get up there. Just swimm up the watter falls. IndySkyz 06-30-2005 02:40 PM MDT Rating: 0.5   Not even taking looks into consideration and just basing it on gameplay, sniper/redeemer gameplay as the title says, this map still blows chuncks IMO, first off its way too big, the only way to find a target is if you have a radar or bot, for a legit player its super gay you only find someone to kill when you spawn near them and then it might as well be one small hallway because that what you fight in, I am sorry to offen but this map was not made good even for snipers and playing it online made me fall asleep.dont think I am scoring low because I dont like sniper maps or even give a crap about looks, this map just dont work. Deathbliss 07-02-2005 11:18 PM MDT   What I find particularily amusing here is that with UT 2003/2004 you can do the terrain for a map like this a heckuva lot better, and make it look a lot better too, but then a bunch of folks would come in here and bitch about it being a terrain map :/ - Deathbliss amphisbaena 07-03-2005 11:09 AM MDT Rating: 10   i love this map it looks good and plays great i dont see why you guys dislike it so much Sicko Teddy 07-04-2005 01:21 AM MDT Rating: 3   to amphesbanea- go wash your eyes! "it looks great and plays well" sounds like you never played UT at all if you can't even compare how this looks and how the default retail maps look. That map looks real scary (real heavy degree of ugglyness) You should have some good look in map to please the player. How do they play maps that look terrible!? I don't get it! LiquidSteel 07-07-2005 06:56 AM MDT Rating: 7   I am unable to say bad things about this map. Granted, not everyone enjoys a sniper map and to each their own. But this map actually WORKS, and it works well. I only discourage mappers that submit maps that don't work, or have duplicated file names (this is caused by either simple laziness, or sheer stupidity). I will however, agree that this map is kinda blah in the sense the textures are all very boring. But the bots know exactly what to do and how to get it done. Weapon placement isn't all that bad. With the recent maps that have come in to Nali City, this is a keeper in my rotation.